Mater Dei gets ready for State Band competition

Marching bands from four local schools will compete at the ISSMA state finals on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Mater Dei Marching Wildcats, Castle Marching Knights, North Posey Marching Vikings, and Gibson Southern Marching Titans will compete.

Cody Hefley, 15, rehearses with his mellophone during band practice at Mater Dei High School in Evansville on Thursday, October 28, 2010. Mater Dei, Castle, Gibson Southern, and North Posey will compete in the ISSMA state band finals Saturday in Indianapolis.

Marisa Hempfling, 17, gives a high kick during band practice at Mater Dei High School.

Emily Burnett, 15, rehearses with a poker chip, one of the band’s props, during practice at Mater Dei.

Matt Becker, 15, rehearses in his banana costume during band practice at Mater Dei High School in Evansville on Thursday, October 28, 2010. Becker said he wore the costume because he was, "pysched up for state." Mater Dei, Castle, Gibson Southern, and North Posey will compete in the ISSMA state band finals Saturday in Indianapolis.

Jacqueline Reising, 15, tries to keep her ears warm by wrapping up in her flag during band rehearsal at Mater Dei High School.

ThuThienSuong Trinh, 16, left, and fellow keyboardist, Amanda McCandless, 16, center, jump up after they play the last note to a musical piece during band rehearsal at Mater Dei High School in Evansville.